Scaloni not surprised by 'machine' Messi's World Cup exploits

Lionel Scaloni insists Lionel Messi's sensational form at the World Cup has not taken him by surprise, going on to describe the Argentina captain as a "machine".

Argentina booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a thrilling comeback against Egypt, with Messi leading the turnaround with another influential display. 

Egypt had led 2-0 through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, with their goals coming either side of Mostafa Shobeir repelling Messi's first-half penalty.

However, Messi teed up Cristian Romero's 79th-minute header to spark the revival, before the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner thundered in the leveller off the crossbar soon after. 

Enzo Fernandez was the late hero with his 92nd-minute winner, but Messi continued to make the headlines. He became the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout-stage matches, while also extending his scoring run at the competition to nine straight games. 

Messi has scored eight goals at this year's World Cup, the joint-most alongside Kylian Mbappe. The only South American player to score more in a single tournament is Brazil's Ademir in 1950 (nine).

But even with Messi turning 39 years old during the tournament, Scaloni always expected to see this level of performance from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Leo runs more or less the same in every match," Scaloni told reporters ahead of Argentina's quarter-final clash with Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium.

"Physically, it's true that he has done preparation work with his fitness coach, and it has paid off, but in terms ​of numbers, I don't know if he has changed that much.

"What is clear is ​that he's giving everything he has. When he gives everything he has and senses that he can ‌create ⁠danger, he is a machine."

Scaloni added that those expecting age to catch up with the Inter Miami star did not know the player well enough. 

"It doesn't surprise me," Scaloni added. "Maybe people who don't know him expected that, at 39, he wouldn't be at this level.

"But I don't know ​how many times ⁠I've said it: as long as he wants to, he will be the best. I think that, and not because I'm his ​coach."

Argentina's next test comes in the form of Switzerland, who dumped out Colombia on penalties to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time. 

Argentina have won both of their World Cup games against Switzerland, 2-0 in 1966 and 1-0 in 2014, in what was the last meeting between the sides in any competition.

Since losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening match in 2022, Argentina are unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup matches (W9 D2), their longest run without defeat in the competition's history, though Switzerland will provide a threat.

They are the only team yet to trail at any point across the 2026 World Cup campaign, including qualifiers and finals – a total of 11 games (six qualifiers and five finals matches).

"They have a long-standing history at World Cups," Scaloni admitted. "They have very experienced players physically.

"They are strong. So it will be a tough opponent. That is for sure.

"We respect them very much, as we also do with other opponents. They eliminated Colombia. Colombia had been doing great during this World Cup."

The winner of the clash will face either Norway or England for a spot in the showpiece match on July 19.